Achieving Goals and Better Self-Esteem through Moo Sul Kwan Martial Arts

By Amy Krupp, red belt, CTI LeAD Team Member

The first time I read the Aims of Moo Sul Kwan Martial Arts, written by Great Grandmaster Lee H. Park, I was a new white belt student studying the CTI Student Manual in preparation for my yellow belt written test. The second aim reads: “Help students in identifying and accomplishing appropriate goals, developing a sense of self-esteem and confidence, in encouraging their desire for self-directed learning, and in expressing themselves as thoughtful individuals.” As a white belt, my goals were pretty simple: lose weight, get through all of the jumping jacks at the beginning of class without needing to rest, be able to touch my toes during stretches, and get the foot movement correct on Taegeuk Il Chang. I didn’t really understand how martial arts could bring me better self-esteem and confidence, but I was hoping that was true, because I needed it. Going to class was intimidating. Being the only white belt, and the newcomer who didn’t know anyone, was a little bit scary. Looking back on it, I can see that most of these feelings were due to my own self-esteem and confidence issues outside of the dojang.

Reading that second aim struck a chord, and I hoped that some of it would prove to be true for me.  It wasn’t long after I was promoted to yellow belt that I started to settle in to my place in class. My instructor had always been wonderful and supportive, but I was starting to develop a camaraderie with other students in my class too. A couple of the black and red belts had taken me under their wing so to speak, and were encouraging and friendly, helping to guide me in my training. It felt like I was starting to get some people in my corner. I didn’t have to motivate myself to go to class anymore- I wanted to be there. I was happier when I was there, and I was definitely less stressed when I left. I was starting to notice small strides toward my first goals of physical fitness, which motivated me even more to keep at it. I even broke my first wooden board, which was something I didn’t think I’d ever be capable of doing. That feeling when my foot went through that board for the first time was amazing.

Around the orange and green belt level, I had become 100% committed. Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo had become my passion. Suddenly my goals had developed from small strides in physical fitness to big “pie-in-the-sky” goals. Sure, I still had short term goals. Like fixing my front kick foot position, getting the pivot correct in my side kick, reaching my next belt. But I had bigger dreams too. Like getting to the purple belt level so I could start going to upper belt training on Saturdays, join LeAD team, be on the demo team, make it to black belt, be able to travel with the Black Belt Team during a World Tour, become an instructor and have my own students. I knew in order to reach these goals, I needed to keep at it. I needed to push myself harder than I ever had, and not waste any opportunities for training. So that’s what I did. I never missed an event, and it was very rare that I missed a class. I was more driven toward these goals than I had ever been before. And somewhere along the way, I needed to go down a size in my dobok pants.

I realized recently, a little more than three years since I first bowed in to class, that many of these “pie-in-the-sky” goals have either become reality, or are now within my reach. My self-esteem, confidence, and physical fitness are like night and day from where I was in 2016. I’m in the best physical health of my adult life, and am happier than I have been in a very long time. I used to be the new white belt who didn’t know anyone. Now I’ve been fortunate enough to have met some of the very best friends I have ever had through the CTI. The first time I read that second aim of MSK martial arts, I admit I had some doubts on whether or not any of that would ever hold true for me. Not only has it held true, but it’s gone above and beyond anything that I thought would be possible. My instructor, Grandmaster James Sautel, will ask us on occasion to think of where we could be in a year if we keep pushing as hard as we can every class. It only occurred to me recently that he is referring to Aim #2. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.

Building Confidence With Taekwondo

By Brian Steward, 4th dan

Confidence is a very utilitarian tool which is helpful in almost all aspects of life. In a professional setting confidence can lead to new opportunities.  Confidence can start new interpersonal relationships and can improve existing relationships.  Even in artistic and creative situations confidence will help with creation and communication of ideas.  Confidence is especially important for adolescents and teenagers to learn.  It is critical to build confidence early on in life as it becomes easier to use and maintain confidence with practice.  A direct and effective method for building confidence is through a process of setting and attaining challenging goals.

Instruction at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is excellent at building and maintaining students’ confidence.  Our students learn to set and achieve short, medium and long term goals while in classes.  The short term goals of our students include learning new techniques and perfecting known techniques.  Earning a new belt and winning competitions are common medium term goals which students might set for themselves.  The ultimate long term goal of our students is to become certified Moo Sul Kwan black belts.  All of these goals, from learning a new technique to earning a black belt, are challenging to realize. Instructors at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute work with students in a positive manner to help students progress towards their goals.  Furthermore, instructors work to instill habits of self directed learning in their students so that the student will be able to accomplish goals on their own, regardless of the amount of dedication and practice that is required.  Because of the effort and perseverance necessary to achieve goals in CTI Taekwondo, every goal which is attained by the student leads to deep feelings of pride, satisfaction and above all confidence.  Confidence building in martial arts is not limited to the process of setting and accomplishing goals.

Other benefits of martial arts training also contribute to improved student confidence building.  Weight loss often accompanies martial arts training and can provide improved body image and confidence. Increased body control will come with Taekwondo training and will serve to boost the confidence of students. Taekwondo classes at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute are invaluable for students of all ages who are shy, timid or who just want to feel better about themselves.

Self-Esteem, Self-Worth, and Self-Defense

Developing self esteem is crucial to living. Having high self esteem just makes you feel good! Consider the following. Have you ever meet an amazing person and not wanted to change your life with them; and not even the wealthy ones? Have you ever felt 100% pleased with your life? Just feeling the joy to be alive and breathe the air and want nothing more?

When you have high self esteem you have feelings like these constantly! You are happy with simplest of things. You have a smile on your face as you saunter down the street. You have no desire to exchange lives with anyone else. You are happy right now, in this moment, and you are happy exactly as you are!

Having high self esteem makes you a positive person. And the amazing thing about being a positive human being is that you are frequently happy. Your happiness spreads to all the people around you. And when people around you feel happier they extend happiness to people they meet.

So how can Taekwondo training help you develop your self esteem? Taekwondo training creates a robust, fit body for you that feels excellent and looks first-class. This helps you feel good about yourself not only because of your looks but because you generally feel healthier. And it's no charade; you legitimately have a profound inner assurance and joy. You have high self esteem!

Taekwondo doesn't just improve your body. You constantly train you brain to think quickly and react fast as you learn complex moves. And it is quite difficult, you must force yourself to keep moving forward when you want to quit. Keep going when your muscles are screaming at you to stop. Keep going when your chest is aching from hard work. Keep going when you're scared.

Martial arts training helps you to become strong in mind and body. And the support of positive views and a sound mind helps so much when life hits you with the bad stuff. If you are in the gutter with low self esteem it's hard to get through the bad times. But, if you're sitting tall with self esteem you can manage the bad times loads better.

It's worth knowing that, for parents, to help your kids develop self esteem, you need to have high self esteem yourself. And self esteem for a child is very crucial. It greatly assists kids in doing well in school and help them take on new challenges. Signing yourself up for a martial arts program and signing your child up for kids karate or kids taekwondo will greatly improve your self esteem, your child’s self esteem and you will generally feel happier!

Taekwondo School Denounces Bullying With Anti-Bullying Workshop

Adrienne Jones admits to being a bully when she was a child, and even getting into fights.

Then more than twenty years later, Jones stood and faced numerous adults and children one Saturday to conduct a workshop denouncing bullying.

Jones and Wayne, her husband, own the Soaring Eagles Taekwondo Academy in Vallejo and Pinole, California. They presented a free and communal anti-bullying workshop at their Vallejo school.

"Bullying has become such a problem," said Adrienne Jones, who is now a fourth-degree black belt master. "I've seen firsthand what bullying can do to someone."

Jones said that when she was a teenager one of her friends ended up in prison after murdering an individual who had been bullying him. He then took his own life, she added.

The hour-long workshop teaches parents and children how to recognize bullies and stand up to them. The workshop also teaches to spot signs that their children are victims of bullying, and how to address the problem.  

"The first key is to not be a bully yourself," she said at the end of the workshop. "The second key is that you will not tolerate any bullying."

In this particular workshop, Adrienne Jones stressed that people who sit around and do not stop bullying are just as at much fault as the bully.

"It only takes one person to repel a bully," she said.

Emylie Forky, 14, and her parents Paul and Ladonna were in attendance at the workshop.

Attending the workshop was something of great importance for to the Forky family who had come back to Vallejo because of brutal bullying Emylie had been encountering in her Hawaiian school.

"It got so bad," Ladonna Forky said. "We had eight meetings in a month period with different people in the school, but nothing changed."

Paul Forky, who is enrolled as a student in the academy, and his wife said they see eye to eye with Adrienne Jones' presentation.

"Schools that say they have zero tolerance against anti bullying should enforce it," Ladonna Forky said. "It does no good to have the policy in place with no enforcement."

Paul Forky also said that parents are integral in such circumstances by being as supportive and positive as they can be.

Emylie, who attends North Hills Christian School, said that although the bullying in Hawaii was painful, it did help her to become a stronger person.

"I know how to deal with it now," she said. "I really stand up for myself."

How Taekwondo Can Create High Self Esteem

Developing self esteem is crucial to living. Having high self esteem just makes you feel good! Consider the following. Have you ever meet an amazing person and not wanted to change your life with them; and not even the wealthy ones? Have you ever felt 100 percent pleased with your life? Just feeling the joy to be alive and breathe the air and want nothing more?

When you have high self esteem you have feelings like these constantly! You are happy with simplest of things. You have a smile on your face as you saunter down the street. You have no desire to exchange lives with anyone else. You are happy right now, in this moment, and you are happy exactly as you are!

Having high self esteem makes you a positive person. And the amazing thing about being a positive human being is that you are frequently happy. Your happiness spreads to all the people around you. And when people around you feel happier they extend happiness to people they meet.

So how can Taekwondo training help you develop your self esteem? Martial arts training creates a robust, fit body for you that feels excellent and looks first-class. This helps you feel good about yourself not only because of your looks but because you generally feel healthier. And it's no charade; you legitimately have a profound inner assurance and joy. You have high self esteem!

Taekwondo doesn't just improve your body. You constantly train you brain to think quickly and react fast as you learn complex moves. And it is quite difficult, you must force yourself to keep moving forward when you want to quit. Keep going when your muscles are screaming at you to stop. Keep going when your chest is aching from hard work. Keep going when you're scared.

Martial arts training helps you to become strong in mind and body. And the support of positive views and a sound mind helps so much when life hits you with the bad stuff. If you are in the gutter with low self esteem it's hard to get through the bad times. But, if you're sitting tall with self esteem you can manage the bad times loads better.

It's worth knowing that, for parents, to help your kids develop self esteem, you need to have high self esteem yourself. And self esteem for a child is very crucial. It greatly assists kids in doing well in school and help them take on new challenges. Signing yourself up for a martial arts program and signing your child up for kids karate or kids taekwondo will greatly improve your self esteem, your child’s self esteem and you will generally feel happier!